Tribal Self-Governance
Feasibility Study
Title VI, P.L. 106-260
Consultation Session

TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE
FEASIBILITY STUDY
CONSULTATION CHAIRPERSONS

• Merle Boyd, Second Chief of the Sac & Fox Nation and Chairman of the DHHS-TSGAC
• W. Ron Allen, Chairman of Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe of Washington and Chairman DOI-TSGAC
• Delores L. Parron, Ph.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, DHHS
• Michael Herrell, Senior Policy Analyst, DHHS

TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS TO DHHS TO DATE

TRIBAL ELIGIBILITY
(Recommendations to Date)

• Tribes with Current Title I, IV, or V Contracts or Compacts, OR
• Tribes Having Three Years of Demonstrated Financial Stability and Financial Management Capacity (No Uncorrected Significant Material Audit Exceptions in Federal Programs), OR
• Tribes that Acquire Capacity Through a Technical Assistance and Planning Process

DESIGN FEATURES
(Recommendations to Date)

• Government-to-Government Relationship Underpins Demonstration
• Direct Operation of Selected Programs Assumed by Tribes Under Agreements Negotiated with the Department
• Direct Transfer of Program and Support Funds to Tribes Under Negotiated Agreements
• Tribes Responsible for Matching Requirements
• Regulatory Waiver Authority
• Authority to Redesign and Consolidate Programs
• Protection of Program Identity
• Limitations on Ability of Secretary to Deny Self-Governance Proposals
• Financial Accountability Ensured by Single Agency Audit and Compliance with OMB Circulars
• Program Accountability Ensured by Including Performance Measures in Negotiated Agreements
• Tribes have Total Accountability for Programs Transferred to Them
• Limits on Dual Eligibility
• Evaluation of Demonstration Based on Current Levels of Service
• Length of Demonstration
  • Five Years
• Single DHHS Point of Contact for Management of Demonstration Project
• Mechanisms to Provide Lead Time for Current Service Providers to Adjust Staffing, Budget, etc.

DHHS PROGRAMS OF INTEREST TO TRIBES FOR SELF-GOVERNANCE
(Recommendations to Date)

• Programs Currently Run by Tribes
• Limited Number of Programs Not Currently Run by Tribes that Address Significant Tribal Needs
• Programs for Which Tribal Share of Funds is Identifiable
• Neutral or Positive Impact on Beneficiaries

POTENTIAL PROGRAM LIST
(Discussion Only)

• Tribal Temporary Assistance for Need Families
• Child Support Enforcement
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• Community Services Block Grant
• Child Care Development Block Grant
• Tribal Work Grants
• Head Start
• Child Welfare (IV-B)
• Promoting Safe and Stable Families (IV-B)
• Family Violence – Battered Women’s Shelters
• Indian Programs – Grants tp Tribes (Aging Services)

CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED ASSESSMENTS
(Recommendations to Date)

• COSTS
  • Start-up Costs
  • Federal Administrative Costs
  • Program Costs (Above Current Baseline)
• SAVINGS
  • Program Efficiencies Gained
  • Federal Functions May Devolve
• Potential Impact on Beneficiaries
• Legal Barriers

NEXT STEPS

06/14/01
9:00-3:00

Summary Consultation with All Interested Parties
Wyndam City Center Hotel
1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

07/01/01

Deadline for First Round of Comments/Recommendations

09/01/01

Draft Outline Available for Further Consultation

10/01/01

Deadline for Second Round of Comments/Recommendations

11/01/01

Draft Report Available for 30 Day Comment Period

01/01/02

Final Report Available for Review

02/01/02

Deadline for Submission of Separate Views to Final Report

02/18/02

Final Report to Congress

WHERE TO SEND COMMENTS

Email: SELFGOVERNANCE@OSASPE.DHHS.GOV

Website: http:/aspe.hhs.Gov/SelfGovernance

Telephone:  (202) 690-8291

Facsimile:  (202) 690-8252

Mail: Dr. Delores L. Parron
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
200 Independence Ave., SW, Rm 447D
Washington, DC 20201